Simpson Welding Products, based in the Illawarra, has been developing its own hi-tech oxy-cutting technology that it is beginning to sell all over the world. The product typically cuts slab stock in a fraction of the time that it takes for traditional cutting torches. The trouble is that they needed to improve their own design methods and tools and therefore needed some more computer aided design (CAD) training CAD.
Through Illawarra based engineering and manufacturing network, i3net, Simpson’s Clive Gover approached the New South Wales Department of Education and Training and together they organised a CAD training program to which other companies were invited.
For Simpsons, the training has paid off and the technology is well embedded and delivering results within the Company.
For more information on this project or I3net contact Lee Styger - Tel: 0423 824 880; Email: lee@styger.com or web: www.i3net.com.au
Not for Cattle – Effective Branding
The Western Sydney IT Cluster [WSITC] Forum has organised a program of expert speakers, who will explore the theme of building brand as part of enhancing marketing
strategy on Tuesday September 18th at 7am to 10am.
Featured Speakers include:
• Dr Nigel Hardiman, Director of Insights! Program, University of Western Sydney www.uws.edu.au What is brand? What is its role and value in marketing success?
• Beata Kade, CEO, Art of Multimedia. www.artofmultimedia.com.au Tools for building brand and success in customer relationships
• Paul Rushton, Marketing Minds www.marketingminds.com.au Practical tips for brand-building and marketing investment. How to get value for money.
• Selected WSITC member firms: case studies in building brands and successfully gaining market profile
Where: NSW Department of State and Regional Development, Western Sydney Trade and Investment Centre. Level 2, 470 Church Street, North Parramatta
Cost: FREE for Western Sydney IT Cluster members and guests. Light breakfast provided.
Further information contact: Vikki Hine, Manager, Innovation and Technology. Tel: 02 8843 1107 or Vikki.Hine@business.nsw.gov.au RSVP By Friday 14th September 2007 to Wayne Sonter, Manager, Innovation and Technology Wayne.Sonter@business.nsw.gov.au
Killing two birds with one ….
After the WSITC Forum visitors to Parramatta can take advantage of being in the City to take in the Business Sustainability Expo from 17 - 18 September at the Riverside Theatre, Parramatta. Parramatta City Council has organized this forum to facilitate the exposure of key knowledge and products. Further information contact: mmacgregorowen@parracity.nsw.gov.au
Doping isn’t only about Drugs
The University of Wollongong’s Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) is a world leader in developing novel high performance superconducting materials. Superconducting materials are materials that have very low resistance to the flow of electricity below certain temperatures.
One breakthrough technology, developed by ISEM, involves the nano-scale addition (termed doping) of silicon carbide to a known superconducting material; magnesium diboride.
This results in the enhanced performance of the magnesium diboride wire by achieving a world record high critical current density. This will make it attractive over other superconducting materials already available on the market because of its improved performance, relative low cost and ease of production.
For example, use of the technology could make it possible for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to operate at higher temperatures and higher magnetic fields. This means that the next generation MRI machine will be much more powerful, smaller and the costs of MRI significantly reduced. I&I believes this will be music to many treasurers and health ministers’ ears!
Besides medical, other top level market segments are energy, electronics, industrial and transportation (e.g. magnets used in fast trains and ships). For contact details: www.uow.edu.au/research/mic/staff.html
Clean Coal - A Driller’s Dream?
Test drilling to inject CO2 into saline reservoirs in central Queensland has proven a success, prompting ZeroGen to say its clean coal demonstration project showed coal fired power and low CO2 emissions do not have to be at odds with each other.
The project carried out near Rockhampton is a feasibility study into the capture and storage of carbon emissions from coal to generate low emission electricity. ZeroGen aims to inject and store CO2 into the saline reservoirs of Northern Denison Trough. The first phase of the test drilling program involved drilling two wells in excess of 1km deep to reach the trough. ZeroGen has stated it is pleased with the results of the project.
"The results we received were promising, and will assist in locating reservoirs suitable for the safe, long-term storage of CO2, which is fundamental to any clean coal technology," says ZeroGen project manager Chris Wheeler.
It will now move to the second stage of its drilling program, which will allow for an analysis of one of the greatest challenges facing clean coal technology, the costs associated with the carbon capture and storage process. The economic feasibility is expected to be completed by end 2008. (From www.environmentalnews.net 31 Aug 07)
I&I understands that Norway has been pumping CO2 into underground strata for some time, so it would appear that economics rather than technology may be the dominant criterion of feasibility.
Golfing Company above par in carbon neutrality
More on Carbon …….
Troon Golf will commit to an environmental management system that will see its seven golf courses across Australia become carbon neutral. The plan will embrace every facet of the golf course design, including tree planting, designing energy efficient buildings and machinery, and limiting chemical use such as fertilizers. (from www.EnvironmentalManagementnews.net 29/8/07)
Your Ideas, Innovations or Events?
If you want publicity for an idea, innovation or technically related event, contact the I&I editor, Colin Seaborn on 4254 0258 or 0419 841829 or click here-> We welcome stories and photos.
If you want to promote your product or service via video please contact YOC office on (02) 4254 0200 or click here->
| 
